Oyo State Government has inaugurated Committee on the registration of Private Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment in the State to avert quackery in veterinary practices.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi while inaugurating the 7 man committee today at the Conference Room of the Ministry said pursuant of quality practices in veterinary services in the country, the veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) approved the registration of veterinary practicing premises all over the country in 2007 which directed all Directors of Veterinary Services to work hand in hand with the State Chapter of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) to inspect the practicing premises.
The Commissioner stressed that in order to enforce the directive legally to sanitize and avert quackery in the veterinary practices, Oyo State Government in collaboration with other stakeholders in veterinary practices drafted a bill which was passed into law and was approved by the State Governor.
According to Prince Oyewole, section 1 of the law stated that no person shall operate, manage or conduct a private veterinary premises or establishment unless it has been dully registered under the law, while section 2 explained that any private veterinary premises or establishment which has been in existence prior to the commencement of this law shall be registered within six months.
Adesoji Olusegun Media Officer, Ministry of Agric, Oyo State in a statement made available to journalists said the commissioner added that any private veterinary premises or establishment that contravenes section 1 and 2 is liable to payment of #2,000.00 for each day of default.
While admonishing the committee to be focused without been biased, the Commissioner called on the Veterinary Practitioners to cooperate with the committee in order to sanitize the practice in the state to meet up with the International standard, adding that Government cannot do it alone.
The Chairman of the Committee and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr Victor Atilola, pointed out that the law was not aimed to witch-hunt anybody but to sanitize and regulate the activities of veterinary practices in the state.
He therefore enjoined the stakeholders in veterinary practices to support and abide with the law adding that all stakeholders were dully represented.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Dayo Adejuyigbe and the Chairman Association Private Veterinary Practitioners, Dr. Bolaji Olaomo, commended the present administration in the state for its quick implementation of the law saying that no state has implemented it, therefore Oyo State has set pace for others.
In another development, Oyo State Government has been commended for constructing a modern central abattoir that equates the International standard, saying this will sanitize veterinary practices as well as enhance quality of meat for its populace.
The representative of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), DR. Mrs. Susanne Mustermann gave this recommendation during a courtesy call she paid to the State Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, recently.
She said the familiarization visit to Oyo State was an on-the-spot assessment of the veterinary services and also to evaluate the effort of Oyo State Government in veterinary regulatory system.
Receiving the OIE team, the Honourable Commissioner, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi who was represented by the Director Veterinary Services, Dr. Peter Adegunwa said the Ajimobi led administration has tremendously improved standard of veterinary services through various policies, saying that central abattoir with modern facilities has eradicated illegal slaughtering activities in the state unlike before when unhygienic meats were in circulation.
He pointed out that there are 30 abattoirs in the state including the central abattoir in the state capital which has served as an eye opener to other states.
